Finance glossary
Virtual Card
Also known as: Virtual card number, Disposable card
In simple terms
A virtual card is a card number generated digitally — with no plastic — that you can use online. Some can be single-use or disposable to limit fraud.
On this page
What does virtual card mean?
A virtual card is a card number created digitally, linked to your real account but without a physical card. Some providers let you generate single-use or “disposable” numbers, or cards with their own spending limits.
It is mainly used for online and app-based payments.
How a virtual card works
You generate the virtual number in your banking or card app and use it like a normal card online. If it is a single-use number, it stops working after one transaction; others can be frozen, deleted or capped, limiting what a fraudster could do if the number leaks.
Payments still draw on your underlying account or credit line.
How could this affect me?
Virtual cards can reduce the risk of storing your real card details on websites and make it easy to cancel a number without replacing your whole card. They are handy for free trials and one-off online purchases.
The same consumer protections as the underlying card generally still apply.
Things to watch out for
- Not every retailer or provider supports virtual cards.
- A virtual card still spends real money from your account.
- Keep track of any recurring payments tied to a number you delete.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- UK Finance, Online payment security (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.